Latest News – May 13

West Sixth Street Detour in Place for Most of Today

Today, Tuesday May 13, there will be a traffic detour in place in the 100 block of West 6th Street. The Lake County Courthouse will be installing a power upgrade, requiring some saw-cutting across 6th Street to bring the new lines into the courthouse. Vehicle traffic will be detoured around the courthouse’s north parking lot starting sometime between 9 – 10 a.m.

However, residents should still have access on the east and south sides for parking and entrance to the courthouse. Lake County Public Works Director Brad Palmer anticipates the work to be complete by the end of the day today and the detour lifted by this evening’s Leadville rush hour. Local and school traffic are being encouraged to plan ahead to avoid any inconvenience.

The Lake County Road and Bridge crew stands in front of the newly acquired Caterpillar D9. This almost 50-ton piece of equipment is a large track-type bulldozer, equipped with a detachable large blade and a rear ripper attachment. Judging from the Public Works summer-season-punch-list, this piece of equipment will come in handy. The “Get ‘er Done” season always starts late and runs short @ 10,200 feet.

Once the Snow Melts, There’s No Excuse: Clean It Up!

In between the Spring snowstorms, most Leadville and Lake County residents have caught glimpses of the ground and all the dirt and mess that gets covered up during a long, cold winter. However, by this weekend, most of that snow will go, and the list of chores will grow! Clean up the yard, get that garage under control, and FINALLY, make a dump run.

Fortunately, help is on the way, with a number of Spring Clean-Up programs in place for this weekend and beyond.

First, the Lake County Landfill is having its Annual Spring Voucher Program which kicks off this Friday, May 16. During the program, Lake County residents will receive a voucher for an equal or lesser amount of trash, to be redeemed in one trip. (Example: If you bring 3 yards of trash, you will receive a voucher for 3 yards of trash, which may be redeemed in one trip, not a little bit at a time). You will receive a voucher from May 16 thru July 19 for paid loads. Those vouchers may be used from May 17 thru Oct. 2, 2014. It’s a great motivator to remove the trash from your property. For voucher program guidelines: CLICK.

The view from America’s Highest, Lake County Landfill is worth the trip alone! The Spring Clean Up Voucher Program just makes it that much better!

Secondly, and perhaps the better news for those in need of a deeper garage cleaning, is this Saturday’s FREE, one-day Household Hazardous Waste Round Up program. This will include things like old paint, tires, and batteries that have been hanging around for way too long.

For the first time, Lake County residents have an easy way to dispose of household hazardous waste. This one-day, free disposal event will be held at the Lake County Landfill and Recycling Center on May 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Based on similar events and Lake County’s size, the county expects to collect about 10,000 pounds for household hazardous waste and from 100 to 150 cars.

Firefighters and landfill staff trained in Hazmat Operations will be on hand at the event, helping to sort and dispose of material.

“People are looking for a place to take common items like batteries, paint and fluorescent tubes. The goal is to make it as easy as possible, so it becomes a habit to dispose of these items safely,” said Lynne Westerfield, Executive Director of Cloud City Conservation Center. “That way, toxic chemicals do not end up in our soil and watersheds where they can harm our community.”

For more details on the Household Hazardous Waste Program, including a full list of what is accepted at the Round Up: CLICK.

And finally, don’t forget about this Saturday’s Community Clean Up. Volunteers will meet at the courthouse at 9 a.m., where they can sign up for times and locations, and will also be given supplies. The last time the Community Clean Up was held, 75 citizens showed up to help beautify Leadville.

Saturday’s event is also an opportunity for the Get The Lead Out (GTLO) participants to earn tickets for volunteering. So expect to see these folks working extra hard – not only to burn the extra calories, but also to win GTLO prizes!

To top off the clean up efforts, volunteers will be treated to a Turkey Dog BBQ Lunch at 1 p.m. on the courthouse lawn, compliments of the City of Leadville and Lake County Government. For more information you can call 719-486-7491 or email Tamara Moses at hr@co.lake.co.us.

Volunteering with a View! This Clean-Up crew from 2012 took on Leadville’s Chicken Hill area, picking up what winter left behind. Join in this Saturday, May 17 @ 9 a.m.

Willow Planting Party Planned for Thursday!

Volunteers are needed for a Willow Planting Party at Hayden Meadow Reservoir on Thursday, May 15. While the session originally planned for today (May 13) has been canceled, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is still planning on planting willows on Thursday, May 15.

If you are interested, meet at the Hayden Meadow Reservoir and Recreation site at 9 a.m. with gloves, personal gear, lunch, water, sun block, etc. Also waders, if you have them.

For more information, contact Judy Cole with Friends of the Leadville National Fish Hatchery who are helping with this project. 719-486-0176